The North East Film Archive is one of a network of regional film archives established to collect, preserve and show film made in, or about the North East of England. Our collections are non-fiction, and date from the early 1900s to the present day, providing a rich record of life in the region over the 20th century. Many of our films are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
Half the Battle's Won
An early example of integrating people with learning difficulties at a time when ideas of normalisation and community care were emerging.
From the collection of:
Overview
This Tyne Tees TV film is the earliest of three documentaries about the Botton Camphill community in North Yorkshire, made over a 30-year period. It makes for an interesting comparison with the later two: more paternalistic, with little film of residents with special needs at work or in the community, and no interviews with them. Instead it focuses on the events around their silver jubilee and interviews with the parents of those residents and with their co-workers.
Botton Village grew from a former estate with three farms in 1955, the first of the Camphill communities based on the principles of Rudolph Steiner. By the time this film was made, four others had emerged. As well as the village community, a Steiner school was also founded there in 1960. It is unclear from the documentary however, just how much the Village actually was, or is, run according to the controversial views of Rudolph Steiner.
Related
Plans for Living Plans for Living
Amateur film 1966 22 mins
The Pinner Cine Society looks at the work of Northwood's welfare services.
Rehabilitation at Roffey Park Rehabilitation at Roffey Park
1946 29 mins Location: Roffey Park (College)
The treatment of World War II Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – filmed, astonishingly, in full colour.
Something to Offer Something to Offer
Documentary 1969 22 mins
An interesting documentary on psychiatric provision, set at a Plymouth day hospital and originally produced for nursing recruitment.
His Fighting Chance His Fighting Chance
Government sponsored film 1949 10 mins
Eleanor Roosevelt and Michael Redgrave narrate this optimistic post-war film on the rehabilitation of disabled people with polio.
Education of the Deaf Education of the Deaf
Documentary 1946 51 mins Location: Manchester
A brisk look at the tests and education practices for deaf people in 1940s
Faith Healer Faith Healer
News 1976 6 mins Location: Erdington
Does Danny Gallagher really have healing hands?
Against the Odds The Land Can Provide Against the Odds The Land Can Provide
Documentary 1986 26 mins Location: Botton Cross
By a mixture of bio-dynamics and patience, the co-workers and those with special needs of Botton Village gain satisfaction in eking a living.
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.
An Airman's Letter to His Mother An Airman's Letter to His Mother
Documentary 1941 6 mins
A poignant, stirring letter from a recently deceased pilot to his mother is read by John Gielgud.
The NHS75 Celebration The NHS75 Celebration
Short documentary 2023 3 mins
Former Bristol Poet Laureate, Miles Chambers reads a poem specially commissioned for the 75th anniversary of the NHS.